The existing trend stands witness to numerous homes in the U.S. the UK and Canada switching over to smart meters. The change is taking place to give homeowners control over how they spend money on their energy. For instance, in the traditional meters, homeowners were charged by the month based on the energy they consumed during that period. When a house owner switches to a smart meter, he is charged by the hour.

Why Smart Meter?

It is claimed that a smart meter can help consumers save money during peak hours by allowing them to reduce their energy consumption. However, this is only possible if consumers become energy conscious and follows a restrictive plan to limit their energy usage during peak hours. This can be difficult and tough. You also have the option of forgetting about a smart meter and working with your electrical provider to reduce your energy costs, but more often than not, providers have highly restrictive contracts, which can be cumbersome.

The good news is you can save money when you use a smart meter. With a little bit of foresight and ingenuity you can make your home more energy efficient. Here are some tips to cut your energy costs with a smart meter.

Air Conditioning and Cooling

The U.S. Department of Energy states that heating and cooling forms about 54 percent of an average American household’s energy costs. If you adopt a smart meter, this is one cost you definitely would like to reduce. During the warm summer months, you should set the thermostat at a standard 77-degree Fahrenheit and ensure you switch off the air conditioner when you are leaving home. During peak hours, try using a fan to cool yourself down instead of using air conditioning.

The ideal way to save money on heating is to set the water heater at a lower temperature and lower the thermostat at nights. You also have the option of switching to a more energy efficient heating system by going into for a Energy Star rated boiler. Although an expensive investment, this will save you a lot of money in the long run.

Kitchen Appliances

Opt for kitchen appliance that are Energy Star rated. These appliances will use up to 54 percent less energy compared to your older appliances, according to Washington Post. In fact, if you opt for a refrigerator that has an Energy Star label you could end up saving as much as $100 a month on your electricity bill.

There are many other ways to save money on energy in your kitchen. Some of them are highlighted below:

• Use pans and pots that fit precisely over the burner. If your pans and pots are too small, it is a waste of heat
• Try and use a dishwasher to wash dishes, as most dishwashers are designed to save water. You also can use the "Economy" mode on the dishwasher to save even more water.
• If you have a trash compactor, use it at nights once in for all rather than using it several times during the day.

Light Bulbs

If you have incandescent light bulbs in your house, your home is not energy efficient. So switch to CFL light bulbs, which not only use 75 percent less energy compared to incandescent light bulbs, but also tend to last much longer.

These are some of the ways you can cut your energy costs with a smart meter and enjoy savings. These simple but valuable tips will not restrict your daily life and you will not have to schedule a tight daily power usage.

This post is contributed by SpireMT, a leading supplier of Electrical Energy Meters,Handheld Ultrasonic Flow Meter, digital flow meters, water flow meter, Digital Flow Meters and many more. For more information visit at http://www.spiremt.com